John McCormack sings "Paul's Address" from Victor Herbert's "Natoma"

Victor Herbert's opera Natoma is set in Santa Barbara, California, in the 1830's. Then the property of Spain, the Spanish Governor Don Francisco is visited by U.S. Naval Liutenant Paul Merrill, of the U.S. Brig "Liberty." Liutenant Merrill tells the Spanish governor of the American government's respect for Spain and for Columbus, "discoverer" of the New World. The opera debuted at the Met in 1911, to no particular success. McCormack's recording of Paul's address, however, is interesting and shows McCormack in opera/operetta mode. One appreciates his diction, because it makes the aria's intent clear, even on this old recording, and it can usually be captured by the attentive listener at a single hearing. His crystal clear enunciation showed great respect for his audience, and was--and continues to be--much appreciated commented upon.

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Music

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• John
• McCormack
• sings
• Paul's Address
• from
• Natoma.
• opera
• tenor
• irish

[Bivolari]

One of my favorite stories. At rehearsal, Mary Garden, the Natoma, for her entrance came running in, in a very realistically breathless manner. McCormack instantly stopped singing, stopped the rehearsal and asked Mary what happened. She replied that she was acting. McCormack then told her that she scared the bejeezes(sp) out of him.

[EdmundStAustell]

Ha, ha! Love it!  Thanks.

[paulostroff99]

Lovely.TY Edmund forf posting.